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About
Will Handy grows up in Memphis with his preacher father and his Aunt Hagar. His father intends for him to use his musical gifts only in church, but he can't stay away from the music of the streets and workers. After he writes a theme song for a local politician, Gogo, a speakeasy singer, convinces Will to be her accompanist. Will is estranged from his father for many years while he writes and publishes many blues songs. At last the family is reunited when Gogo brings them to New York to see Will's music played by a symphony orchestra.
Theatrical
Apr 7, 1958
Cast
Full credits →N
Nat King Cole
W.C. Handy
E
Eartha Kitt
Gogo Germaine
C
Cab Calloway
Blade
E
Ella Fitzgerald
Singer
M
Mahalia Jackson
Bessie May
R
Ruby Dee
Elizabeth
J
Juano Hernández
Rev. Charles Handy
T
Teddy Buckner
Musician
B
Barney Bigard
Musician
G
George Washington
Musician
B
Billy Preston
Will Handy as a Boy
P
Pearl Bailey
Aunt Hagar
